Some people just don't get it...and that's ok!

Joey put a ring on it. We set the date. And we set the place. Everyone was good with the engagement. Everyone was good with the date. The location, however, was (and still is) scrutinized by many.

"A field? A FIELD?"
"It's gonna be hot!"
"There's no bathrooms!"
"What if it rains?"
"There's no electricity"
"Who's going to decorate?"
"Can't you get married in a church & just renew your vows later out there?"

If you've never been out to The property, you just won't get it. We've been talking about getting married on this property for quite a while...LONG before the engagement actually occurred. There is just something magical about this property. You'd never know there was a major highway on the other side of those trees. It's a beautiful lot of land. And most importantly, you can truly feel His presence out there. We have a couple parties a year out there. We've even had a couple worship services out there. But tonight, we celebrated the Lord's supper out on The property; it was an amazing service! Probably my favorite experience out there so far!!! We read scripture, heard a great story that painted THE perfect picture of salvation & were reminded of God's continuous grace in our lives! I'm not the best with words anyway but words truly cannot describe how special tonight was!

I've never second guessed our decision to get married on The property. And honestly, I'm not stressing about the "what ifs". But tonight confirmed we are getting married in the perfect spot for us! You may not get it. That's ok. But those that DO get it...we truly appreciate your support and can't wait to share our special day with you!

p.s. There are 4 portapotty's (and plenty of trees). There is a hand washing station! There is electricity. There will be a tent for those that can't tolerate 25min in the "heat". Who needs to decorate?! This land is beautiful WITHOUT decorations! And if you don't feel His presence on this property...well...I'll pray for ya! ;)

Birthday Week 2012

Had a great week with family, friends & the dentist. Yes, the dentist. I'm pretty sure I'm paying his way to Haiti. Seriously! Anyway. My favorite part of the week was bringing Christmas a couple weeks early to kids at Big Creek Elementary School.

There was a few guidelines for the gifts. They had to fit in a shoebox (and not rain boot size shoe box). Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap & washcloths needed to go in the box. And then we put toys in the box. Oh. And only spend $30.

Joey & I picked preschool age boy & girl. Being the pink loving princess that I am, I go all out with a tiara, princess skirt, princess wand, makeup & lipgloss. Got some other small toys. And managed to stay pretty close to that $30 limit. Although I had followed the rules, I felt like I was jipping my girl! All she was getting was a few small toys!

Fast forward a couple weeks...

I had the privilege of going to the preschool room to deliver presents. As I was playing with some kids, my group starts to pass out gifts. I look up & there's this cute little girl with my box. She LOVES everything in the box! She was a mini Diva! :) She definitely got the box she was supposed to! Seriously brought tears to me eyes to see this little doll, going through a shoebox with toiletries & small toys and finding sincere delight in all of it!

All the kids were thrilled with their gifts! Even the girl that got a boy box. Even the girls who had to wait 5-10 min to open their boxes because we didn't have enough originally. Me, I'm in the corner balling my eyes out.

For most of us, we will get several boxes of gifts. And they will most likely be more than $30 in value. And I'm gonna go out on a limb and bet you won't get toiletries in your boxes, either (unless you have a DD that puts soap on a rope in your stocking along with a SpinBrush).

For most of us, we have everything we need. And we have a lot of what we want. We have more stuff in our homes than we know what to do with.

Bringing love & joy to others was the highlight of my holiday season. I will give & receive gifts next week but what I will remember months from now is my experience just a couple hours away from home.

Month of Thanks Day 4-What if BCC didn't exist?

Today, I am thankful for my salvation and my church. Today, pastor Kenny asked "What if BCC didn't exist"? Wow. My mind filled with a gazillion emotions and questions.

Would Joey and I be together?
Would I be baptized?
Would I have a great group of mentors and friends?
Would I have taught Sunday school & be a role model for young minds?
Would I be interested in teaching?
Would my relationship with God be where it is today?
Would I even be attending church?
Would I be the person I am today?

Eeeeeek! I'm a "what if" kinda person. But this is one "what if" I don't want to ask! I'm terrified to know how my life would look if BCC had not been a large part of it over the last four years. Blount Community Church is the catalyst to a better life for me. I'm so far from what I once was but not yet what I'm going to be. I am excited to see how else my life will be effected by BCC!

I was baptized on July 18, 2010 by my small group leader. At times, I take that event for granted. I am thankful for Joey leading me to BCC, I am thankful for a great small group leader & friend and I am thankful that I am saved by the blood of Jesus.

I'm thankful that God allowed my path to cross with Blount Community Church!